Stephen Fry

Actor, Playwright, Novelist

Although his comic persona was often smug, occasionally overbearing and sometimes even mannered, the multi-talented Stephen Fry exuded an easy charm and rapier wit while successfully mining numerous mediums - film ... Read more »

Although his comic persona was often smug, occasionally overbearing and sometimes even mannered, the multi-talented Stephen Fry exuded an easy charm and rapier wit while successfully mining numerous mediums - film, television, theatre, novels and even Twitter. Fry first made a name for himself alongside fellow Cambridge chum Hugh Laurie on popular British comedies like "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" (BBC2/BBC1, 1989-1995), while also co-starring opposite Rowan Atkinson in the "Blackadder" series. Following another hit with Laurie, "Jeeves & Wooster" (BBC, 1990-93), Fry became a frequent presence on films in both his native England and in America, including an acclaimed portrayal of Irish playwright Oscar Wilde in "Wilde" (1997). He next logged an appearance in "A Civil Action" (1998) before delivering a finely tuned comic turn in Robert Altman's "Gosford Park" (2001). After making his directorial debut with the well-received seriocomedy "Bright Young Things" (2003), Fry was the subject of the documentary "Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive" (2006), which detailed his lifelong struggle with bipolar disorder, while garnering praise for his hit series "Stephen Fry in America" (BBC1, 2008). By the time he was seen in "Alice in Wonderland" (2010) and "Sherlock Holmes 2" (2011), there was no doubt that the multifaceted Fry had become an audience favorite on both sides of the Atlantic.

First appeared on TV with the Cambridge Footlights Revue in "The Cellar Tapes"; also joined by Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson

Penned his first play "Latin" while at Cambridge

Joined the Footlights theater group at Cambridge and met future comedy collaborator Hugh Laurie

At 17, Fry survived on a credit card stolen from a family friend. He was arrested for fraud and as a result spent three months in Pucklechurch Prison on remand.

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Fry struggled to keep his homosexuality secret during his teenage years at public school and claimed not to have engaged in sexual activity for sixteen years from 1979 until 1995.

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Fry was diagnosed with cyclothymia, a mild form of bipolar disorder.

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In 1995, Fry was presented with an honorary doctorate from the University of Dundee, which named their main Students' Association bar after his novel The Liar.

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Fry suffered a nervous breakdown in 1995 while appearing in a West End play called "Cell Mates," and subsequently walked out of the production, prompting its early closure and incurring the displeasure of co-star Rik Mayall and playwright Simon Gray. After walking out of the production, Fry went missing for several days while contemplating suicide. He abandoned the idea and left the U.K. by ferry and eventually resurfaced in Belgium.

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In 2005, Fry was awarded an honorary degree from Anglia Ruskin University of Cambridge, England.

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He was granted a lifetime achievement award at the British Comedy Awards in 2007 and the Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards in 2010.

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On April 30, 2008, Fry signed an open letter, published in The Guardian newspaper by some well known Jewish personalities, stating their opposition to celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. Fry was a signatory member of the British Jews for Justice for Palestinians organization, which actively campaigned for Palestinian rights.